christmas #1

You know you're blessed when you have multiple Christmases to look forward to. This weekend marked celebration #1 of 3. Up first was the Mesman family Christmas, complete with

• oyster soup (just the broth, please)
• games, games, games
• falling asleep to Home Alone and Rudolph
• pretty, little gifts
• the Christmas story (read on an iPad)
• orange zest tea
• Christmas carols at church
• meeting the newest member of the Galbraith family

Christmas celebration #2 will be quiet and spent at home tomorrow, just me and Tim. I'm really looking forward to it. We're hardly ever home on Christmas day. We have a schedule of events made, a menu created, and holiday movies rented in preparation for a laid-back and festive day.

Merry Christmas Eve!

minted inspiration board // vintage glam

I am a HUGE fan of minted. They have super cute wedding invitations and awesome stationary. And when I saw their Inspiration Board Challenge, I just couldn't resist! Here is my Vintage Glam board inspired by an invitation by althea+ruth.

Vintage Glam board by Erica Miller. See more Minted wedding invitations

forecasting grief

I am by nature a worrier. It's never kept me from anything (i.e. getting on a plane, moving 1,000 miles away for college, driving through a blizzard), but it does occupy a lot of my daily thought time. I know that it shouldn't, but it does. And lately, I feel like it's been on hyperdrive thanks to the endless coverage of crime after terrible, terrifying crime. With each breaking headline the past few weeks, my heart has broken and tears have fallen; it is hard to comprehend the extreme pain that countless families, friends, neighbors, and relatives around the nation are experiencing thanks to a few seconds of foolishness.

Often times, all this sadness and loss makes me wonder and worry about what I could lose. What if Tim gets in a car accident on the way to work? What if I make a good friend here and then she ends up moving away? What if we have a baby someday and _______ goes wrong? What if...?

These thoughts just start snowballing into each other until I'm reminded that God has a master plan for my life, plans to give me hope and a future. And that these thoughts of worry should not hold me back from living a full life because I am not to live my life in a spirit of fear. I love Elisabeth Elliot's words about the business of "forecasting grief":

Is it our business to pry into what may happen tomorrow? It is a difficult and painful exercise which saps the strength and uses up the time given us today. Once we give ourselves up to God, shall we attempt to get hold of what can never belong to us - tomorrow? Our lives are His, our times in his hand, He is Lord over what will happen, never mind what may happen. When we prayed, "Thy will be done," did we suppose He did not hear us? He heard indeed, and daily makes our business His and partakes of our lives. If my life is once surrendered, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine! Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.

Jesus did not promise that this journey called life would be easy, smooth, and without pain - that's what happens in a broken and sinful world. But He has promised to never give us more than we can handle and to walk with us through the storms. I need to remember that.

A Merry Little Christmas

What is it about Christmas music that makes it so emotional? Or am I the only one who cries almost every single time we sing “O Holy Night” in church? James Taylor’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is the same way. I heard it in the car on the way to work this morning = tears. And the funny thing is, I never really know why I’m crying. It’s definitely not because I’m sad, but it’s not really tears of joy either. But more along the lines of emotion, memories, and love.

Christmas has always been one of my most favorite times of the year and I have so many good memories associated with this cherished holiday. Memories of family traditions – oyster soup on Christmas Eve, finding a $2 bill in our stockings every year, decorating for Christmas to a Kenny G. tape, sleeping by the tree at Grandma’s, watching old cartoon Christmas movies with my brother and sister. I know that many people say that Christmas is one of the most stressful times of their year, but I’m so thankful that I did not grow up with that mentality. Besides the “stress” of traveling to Grandpa and Grandma’s, or now Mom and Dad’s, Christmas has always been about relaxation, fun traditions, delicious food, ripping open hand picked gifts, and thankfulness of what the season truly represents.

And that is something I want to pass on to our children someday. I don’t ever want it to be hurried or rushed or completely focused on the materialism that is thrown in your face during the Christmas season. I want to start silly little traditions. I want to read the real Christmas story before opening gifts, like Grandpa D always did. I want our children to understand that giving is better than receiving. I want our Christmas holiday to be cozy and simple, not overdone and fancy. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks, Mom and Dad. My tears during Christmas are good tears and happen because even when we were little and unruly and didn't want to eat the oyster soup, you still did...you made memories with us and for us. Opening gifts each year is always a blast, but you've given us so much more than physical gifts over the years. You've given us traditions, love, and memories. And that's what keeps us longing to come home every December.

the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful! What we've had today is good old fashioned Minnesota snow that's about to turn into a sub-zero blizzard once the winds pick up. And if you ask me, blizzards and snow storms are the perfect ingredients for cozy Sunday afternoon. We've been watching the snow fly all day, and have accumulated almost a foot of snow since the middle of the night. As I'm writing this, Tim is in his element - outside, shoveling our driveway for the 3rd time today.

Days like today always make me feel good and hearty, like I'm experiencing (and enjoying!) something few people could handle or appreciate. And I love knowing that my family and friends are tucked away in various warm houses, piled under quilts, and enjoying things like baking and new babies. It's so comforting.

Today, the Miller house has looked like this:

the snow continues to pile up high

wrapping up gifts

naps by the fire

shoveling snow sans snow blower

a hot-off-the-stove lunch

We will attempt to venture outside one more time for Bible study tonight, and then be tucked in later thankful for the blessings that surround us and keep us warm on a day like today.

saturday thrifting

So you know how sometimes you go thrift store shopping and it seems like everywhere you turn, all you can find are nasty old bedsheets, dated wicker baskets, and frames pictures of bunnies? But then there's always that one time out of 10 where you feel like you've hit the jackpot because everywhere you turn, you find treasures upon treasures. Well, today I hit the jackpot.

charming print for the kitchen = $1.99

pretty candy dish = $2.99

series of three pressed flower frames = $.99 each

And now for the real piece de resistance...

a nearly new, vintage chair = $10

Boom.

she is fierce

If you know my sister at all, you probably know that she has this thing with quotes. She doesn't just love them, she LOVES them. Seriously, her Pinterest quote board has over 400 pins and counting. So when I was looking for a little creative inspiration, I turned to her. I wanted to create something she could hang on her bedroom wall; something cute and positive. And I'm so excited with how the project turned out!

I honestly think this would be ridiculously cute in a little girl's nursery or room. I mean, hello. Or I'm imagining it in a girly bathroom, hanging on the wall so it's one of the last things you see before you leave the house to conquer the world.

Have an idea of how you would use it? Good! Because as a little early Christmas present, I'm offering it as a free printable download. Just email me for the PDF. Except you, Mandy - you get the one in the pretty white frame.

Now, go and be fierce.

we've been busy...

decorating for Christmas (no Christmas before Thanksgiving)
drinking apple cider
listening to Bing Crosby records
shoveling the driveway thanks to a small Thanksgiving day snow
visiting friends and family in South Dakota
eating waaaay too much good food
wrapping gifts with newspaper
experimenting with this
loving every single minute of living in a now consistently heated house
brainstorming design ideas
planning for a trip out west in May

miss south dakota

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE surprises. I seriously can't get enough of them! I love being on both the receiving and the giving end. And this past weekend, we pulled off a surprise party that has been in the making for about 25 years. It all started when my mom turned 21 and her BFF Tara kidnapped her, blindfolded her, drove her around, and had a big surprise birthday for her. Since then my mom has been patiently waiting and planning on "revenge," and since Tara has a milestone birthday coming up, mom thought it would be the perfect opportunity.

So to Platte we went, hauling everything you need to make a party for a past beauty pageant queen complete - hot pink streamers, sashes, rhinestones, and crowns. With the help of another friend, we had the whole evening planned, from snacks to games to gifts. By total chance, we even got one of Tara's pageant dresses that I wore for part of the night. It was hysterical. And she was SO surprised!

What a fun night to celebrate one of the most important women in my life. Tara, you are one of my most self-less, giving people I know. You make everyone around you feel special and important. I cherish all the road trips and late night conversations (and dessert plates!) we've had over the years. I am very blessed to have you in my life. Love you and happy birthday!

The invitation I designed for the party.

Surprise!

So many fun women in one place.

"Tara's 50 - let's show her some support!"

november

I am thankful for:

a cozy home to call my own
hot coffee waiting for me each morning
a husband who does the dishes and laundry
hot water
my job
the deer that has been foraging in our backyard
neighbors that bring us bread and build us a new mailbox
our fireplace (which is still the only thing heating our entire house at the moment)
coupons that save me $17 at the grocery store
chicken pot pie
my sister
early morning walks with the dog
trials that bring wisdom, understanding, and full reliance on God

I am truly blessed.

my prayer

I voted

this is what election night looks like without tv and without central heat.

let's recap :: projects/Chicago/I'm cold

I'm cold.

I will tackle the last item on the list first. Why am I cold, you ask? Because it's November...and it's 30 degrees outside...and we haven't turned our heat on. This is what you get when you're married to Mr. "I haven't been cold (or hungry) since 4th grade." At first it sort of started out as a little game - how long can we go without turning on our heat? Tim jokes every year that we're not turning the heat on until Thanksgiving, but that idea usually only lasts about 2 seconds because I swoop in with my, "Ha! Yeah right. I HATE being cold. No way." speech. But I am sorry to report that we may actually make that dream/nightmare a reality this year, just not on our own terms.

With a new house, comes all sorts of uncharted territory. The one we're battling and exploring at the moment - boiler and steam heat. How the heck do you get those things to turn on? Last night Tim was tasked with figuring out how to turn on the heat because I thought I might go hypothermic. But after hours of tinkering and researching, we had nothing but a big puddle of hot water on the basement floor. Bummer. We're not really sure what to do next. All I really know is that I will be sleeping yet another night wearing 4 layers and 5 blankets.

Projects

In other house news, we've been busy nesting and improving. We are both still reveling in the joys of being homeowners (until we can't figure out things like turning on the heat). What we love so much about this house is that nothing major needs to be done to it; everything we envision doing is all reasonable, weekend DIY projects. This past weekend was the first free weekend at home we've had in awhile so we decided to tackle a little nook in the kitchen.

When we moved in, there was a small, dim light over the sink circa 1970 that was begging to be replaced. After tearing down the old board and light, Tim cut and stained a new board and then it was off to shop for a new light fixture. We ended up buying three different options, taking them home, holding them up, and then deciding which one would work and look the best. And holy cow, what a difference a little lighting makes!

The window in the kitchen has never had a shade on it, and I thought a little pop of color would look good behind our fresh, new lights. So I decided to try my hand at a DIY roman shade I'd seen on Pinterest. For the most part, the tutorial was great and very detailed. The project was pretty time consuming, but the shade works great and it literally cost less than $15. Can't beat that.

Chicago

At the end of September, Marji called me with a great idea: girls weekend in Chicago over MEA. Never having been to Chicago, it didn't take me long to say, "Absolutely!" So after a few minor speed bumps (lost wallet/driver's license) we were on our way to the windy city early Thursday morning. We had such a blast. Thanks to our cousin-in-law (is that even a word?) we were able to stay in the heart of the city, just a few blocks off Michigan Avenue, which made it so easy to see and do so many things. Highlights would include:

• deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno
• The Field Museum
• Chicago dog from a street vendor
• the ease of taking public transit
• the smell of cookies wherever we went (due to a chocolate factory nearby)
• shopping Michigan Ave.
• architecture boat ride tour through downtown
• breakfast at Wildberry
• The Bean and Millenium Park
• champagne and sushi at Sunda

What a great trip! I can't say enough good things about it. 

Christmas cards

Can you believe that it's nearly Halloween which means it's almost Thanksgiving which means that Christmas is just around the corner?! Craze, I tell you. Now's the time to start thinking about Christmas/Holiday/New Year's cards. And if you're dreaming about one-of-a-kind cards that don't involve taking out a small loan, I have good news for you...

I'd love to work with you on creating a beautiful and festive card! Contact me for more information.

announcing...

Warning: this post may contain shameless self-promotion.

Ever since I was little, I've loved to create, color, and design. Growing up, I would spend a week at Grandma's house, and each year, we dedicated a day to painting with her oil paints. I was the little girl who on Halloween was handed a pumpkin and asked if I could carve shapes instead of a scary face. I used to (and still do) rip out pages from magazines that were subjects of interesting compositions or colors. Art is something I've always loved and appreciated.

I was recently going through a box of my old grade school year books. In 6th grade, my answer to what I wanted to be when I grow up was "designer", which may seem like an obvious answer for a girl, but it's something I've always known I would do in some form. But it wasn't until college and my first 100-level graphic design class with Professor Edman that I realized that design was, and is, my passion.

Since then, my dream has been slowly building. I immerse myself in blogs and magazines about paper and design and weddings and parties, and it makes me so giddy thinking of contributing to the beauty. But how? How do I take that step? I still don't totally know the answer, and I'm terrified even as I write this, but it's time to finally walk the walk, so to speak. Because it's what I love to do. I've thought about this and prayed about this and talked about this for years and it's time to make the leap into whatever lies ahead, no matter how many excuses I can come up with.

So with that, Erica Miller Design is open for business! No, I don't have an Etsy shop (yet!), but I'd love to work with you on whatever your project may be, whether it's wedding invitations, birth announcements, or custom stationary. Below is my latest project, a wedding suite design for one of my best friends from college (congrats Jenna and Bubba!). It is one of the most favorite things I've done yet and would love to work on more weddings!

You can find more samples of my work, projects, and photography under the PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN link. Cheers!

the tree

Fall in "northern" Minnesota is spectacular. For the past week the trees have burst into awesome mode and have donned vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and red. Since this is our first fall in our new house and new neighborhood, we had no idea what sort of color we would be surrounded by. But let me just tell you, it's better than I expected! There's one maple tree in particular that I love. About a week ago, its leaves started changing from the top down, making it look like someone had dunked it into orange paint - half orange-yellow, half bright green. And just this weekend it made the full transition to its fall coat.

I love everything about fall - the leaves, the colors, the soup, the coziness - but I always feel like it's a little bittersweet. It is such a fast and fleeting season that begins with vigor and vibrancy, but after a few weeks the grass has turned brown, the trees are left bare, and the frosty mornings warn of the winter slumber to come. There's a sense of urgency to immerse myself in the height of autumn's beauty because I know that even over the course of a couple days, a tree's fiery leaves will loose their color and float to the ground, eventually winding up in one of many yard bags or compost piles.

So immerse myself I did. The drive up to Alexandria this past weekend was one of the most beautiful fall drives I've experienced. The highway and county roads were bursting with burgundies, oranges, and golds. The Painter really knows what He's doing.

end of the day prayer

I've seen and heard this prayer floating around lately. It's honest, comforting, and some good last thoughts at the end of the day.

Lord, I'm weary after a long day.
I lift my chin and look to you.
I offer you the cares from the day, the concerns of my heart and the things that keep me up at night.
Take my sincere yet imperfect offerings and miraculously multiply them to meet the needs around me.
When I crawl under the covers tonight, help me to remember that I'm not under my circumstances.
I'm safe under the shadow of Your wing.
Cover me with sweet, nourishing sleep tonight.
Oh, how I love You. Amen.

river days

I was introduced to canoe trips a few years ago and haven't looked back since. So when Zach asked if we wanted to take a fall canoe trip, we were all for it. We set out for the Rum River early Saturday morning, with two full travel mugs of coffee, several layers of long flannel+long underwear, and tubs full of firewood, fishing gear, camp food, and tents. What ensued was nothing less than fall/fishing/camping/canoeing in all its glory.

Mark and Zach rounding the bend

Enjoying the sunshine and fishing

One of many beaches along the way

We ate goooood! Roasted potatoes, veggies...

...and marinated steak. With s'mores for dessert. Hello.

the morning frost

Tim cooking a breakfast of bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, and eggs.

My bass!

to my dad

Today is my dad's birthday, and I know he has had a long day of flying all over the country today so he deserves a shout-out on the blog. And probably a piece of cake.

Happy birthday, Dad! There's a lot that I could tell you on this milestone of a day, but I'll keep it short and sweet. I'm so proud to have you as my dad - just like I was the day you walked me down the aisle. You make me feel safe, you challenge me, and you make good coffee. Thank you for being a stand-out example of a father, husband, and son. That's not an easy thing to come by these days. I love you a lot.

Erica Elen

currently reading

I go through reading phases where I'll read 3 books a month, and then I won't read anything for 3 months. With all the hustle and bustle that comes with moving and getting settled into a new house plus the busyness that is summer/family vacation season, I haven't had my nose in a book for quite some time. Until now.

via

Enter: "A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg. I can't even remember now how I came across this book; I like to think it was destiny. It's a non-fiction, coming-of-age book about life, love, and food (seriously, there's recipes throughout the book). Can it get any better than that?! And her writing is incredible and delicious. What I love even more is that the recipes are not for big, daunting dishes that require fancy tools and spices. They are manageable, realistic, and even simple. For example, I just got done reading the chapter that includes the recipe for Red Cabbage Salad with Lemon and Black Pepper. Translation: red cabbage thinly sliced, doused with olive oil and lemon juice, seasoned with salt and garlic, and sprinkled with grated cheese and black pepper. Hello! Love it.

Please excuse me while I proceed to whiz through the rest of this book and hastily copy down each and every recipe.

new traditions

One of my favorite times of year is here.
Crunchy leaves begging to be walked on.
Crisp mornings with their sweatshirts and steaming mugs of coffee.
Sunny afternoons that make me want to curl up and take a nap.
Yellow school buses driving down our quiet street.
Quilts making their way back onto the beds.
Kitchens toasty and warm from baking spiced breads, cookies, and crisps.
I love it all.

You know what else I love? Family traditions. This past weekend we were with Tim's family for the annual Turkey Day weekend (which is a tradition in itself) and started talking about traditions, how cool they are, and what traditions we could each start. Part of the reason I love traditions so much is because I love predictability and I'm a sucker for nostalgia.

A new tradition I have subconsciously started - photography baby Ev, the cutest baby I've ever seen in real life. A lot happened this past weekend - watched the runners in the 10K, met up with old friends, took in the parade - yet 90% of pictures turned out to be Evie-centered. And I, for one, do not have a problem with that. Seriously can't get enough of her big eyes and that giggle when every time you squeeze her thighs.

hey beautiful baby girl

turkey day parade 2012: NOT the big one

Bob on stilts for the parade

 a tushy heart = adorable.

"uncle tim, you sort of have hockey hair."

pickled hot peppers

So Mom's garden is exploding with produce and reaped some of the benefits of that this past weekend. Besides swiping zucchinis, tomatoes, potatoes, basil, dill, green beans, and several jars of canned goods, I canned some of my own goodies Monday afternoon. Tim and I love sandwiches and always pile them high with all sorts of add ons, so I pickled/canned a hot pepper mix of 5 different kinds of peppers. Woah, baby, I can't wait to pop open a jar of one of these in a few weeks.

Pickled Hot Peppers
adapted from this recipe

1 1/2 pounds banana peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 pound jalapeno peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 pound serrano peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
8 chili peppers, whole
8 habanero peppers, whole
6 cups vinegar
2 cups water
4 cloves garlic, halved
1 onion, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp salt per jar

• Wash and sanitize 8 mason jars and lids
• Once the jars are sanitized and dry, add half a clove of garlic, one chili pepper, and 1/2 tsp of salt to each jar
• Fill the jar with layers of the peppers and onion
• In a large pot, bring the vinegar and water to a boil. Once it's boiling, take off the stove and carefully pour it into each jar, filling it 1/4 inch from the top.
• Wipe off the rim of each jar to make sure it is dry, then put a lid and ring on jar
• Place the jars in a large canning pot and fill with enough water to almost completely cover the jars. Bring the water to a boil, and boil for 20 min.
• Take the jars out of the pot and (my favorite part) listen to them pop as the jars seal.